A few weeks ago, I read a tweet from Dr. Javeed Sukhera about terminology and mental health. The tweet had ‘gone viral,’ and it’s stayed in my mind since then. Next time someone says "mental health" what if we took out "mental" and just said "health?" "I need time off for my health." "I need […]
4 ways to help resist a deficit perspective
Deficit perspectives are sneaky. Maybe the better word is ‘insidious.’ They can worm their way quietly into our work. And when there, they do real damage. Maybe you’ve heard the term. If not, it’s a tendency to maintain a focus on negative instances, examples, or qualities. Like seeing patients as passive recipients. Or centering on what […]
Because health communication isn’t one-size-fits-all
Right now, I’m working on a webinar. It’ll be the first in a series of three, for Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health through the Region 2 Public Health Training Center. I’ve been working on it quite a while, and I’m excited about it. It’s scheduled for June, and it’s free and open to […]
Learn two steps to help improve your health communication
“I was listening for the pain. I kept listening for the pain.” This was what a physician said during our debriefing after a role-play. She was the ‘attending,’ another physician played the ‘patient,’ and I was the observer. The role-play was a brief initial patient consultation. During the debrief, we were focused on communication. The […]
Infographic: 13 ways to reflect on patient/client communication
Here at Health Communication Partners, we think (and talk and write) about health communication all the time. It’s, y’know, in our name. Of all the possible ways of approaching the issue of communicating with patients, this is one of my favorites. That’s partly because when it comes to communicating as professionals, reflective practice can help […]
Addressing Implicit Bias Audiobook Bundle
Addressing Implicit Bias Audiobook Bundle There are subtle ways our everyday language can unintentionally disadvantage certain social or cultural groups. What’s more, ordinary institutional policies and practices can unwittingly reflect bias. Based in decades of research on bias in language and policy, these materials share a commitment to reducing health disparities. research-based steps you can […]
